Road machine



C. A. GUSTAFSON Feb. 25, 1936.

ROAD MACHINE Filed DSC. 7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm .fw T mw m .0 w r I G T. A /r d C Y B o y w# on o o o m` o o o o um. o E. m e wm D o m i \O\ .l ww o o nm. o un. wm

Feb. 25, 1936.

C. A. GUSTAFSON ROAD MACHINE Filed Dec. '7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E' E 42 i @3M/L' Patented Feb. 25, 1936 Roan MACHINE Y Carl A. Gustafson, Peoria, Ill., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application December '1, 1932, Serial No. 646,047

29 Claims. (Cl. 37-153) The present invention relates to road machines and particularly to selective clutch means for controlling the tooladjusting mechanism thereof.

In the selective clutch control means heretofore known, clutch gearing is used and usually includes a broad gear which is shiftable to engage either or both of a pair of offset gears on the drive shafts for the control mechanism. Such clutch gearing requires accurate machining and the provision of a comparatively complicated gear box construction. The selective clutch control means disclosedherein eliminates entirely the use of clutch gearing and provides-a simplified selective clutch means which is easily manufactured and does not require extremely accu- Operator so that the clutch mechanism can be watched while in operation. This feature lends itself to quicker and easier adjustment of the clutch means thereby insuring more constant controlof the adjustment of the tool and consequent improvement in Work.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and reliable selective clutch control mechanism for the tool adjusting mechanism of a road machine. l

Another object of the inventionv is to provide a road machine having a selective clutch control means whereby either or both of a plurality of tool adjusting mechanisms can be operated from a single operating member.

Another object ofv the invention is to provide va road machine having a selective clutch control means for the tool adjusting mechanisms thereof which eliminates the use of clutch gearing. I l

Another object of the invention is to provide a road machine having a selective clutch control means for the tool adjusting mechanisms thereof which is entirely visible to the operator.

Other objects will'appear as the description progresses.

Description ofA figures Description of the machine The road Working apparatus which is disclosed herein'as embodying the instant invention includes a trailer grader having a frame I which is provided with front supporting wheels II and rear supporting wheels (not shown). The grader is drawn through tractor pole I2 from track-type tractor I3 having side seat arrangement I4, providing an operators station from Which the operator can observe and control the operation of `the tractor and the grader.

A plurality of earth-engaging tools are mounted adjustably on the frame of the grader. Blade IIE isadjustably supported from circle I1 which is revolubly supported in a frame including drawbars I8, and rear cross member I9. Drawbars I8 are provided with a suitable draft connection 2l with king-bolt 22, which provides a pivotal connection between the front wheel assembly and the frame. Similar telescopic lift hangers 23, only one ofwhich is seen in Fig. 1, are universally mounted on each side of the frame and are universally connected at their lower ends to rear cross member I9 adjacent the ends thereof.

Said hangers provide means for adjusting the blade vertically. Link 26 and hand wheel 21 form part of the means for adjusting the blade transversely with respect to the frame. As stated above, circle I1 is mounted revolubly in its supporting frame whereby the angle of the blade with respect to the line of draft can be varied. The blade is maintained in its angular adjustment by circle locking mechanism 28 operated by rod 29 extending forwardly therefrom.

From the foregoing description it is seen that the blade is adjustable vertically at either end, is adjustable transversely with respect to the frame, and is adjustable angularly with respect to the line of draft. The desired position of the blade is obtained usually by a combination of these adjustments.

Scarier 30 is supported by .lift links 3|, one of which is seen in Fig. 1, and opposite drawbars 32 provide a draft connection therefor. Said lift links 3| are operated from gearing in houslng 33 which, in turn; is operated by shaft 34 supported at its forward end in bracket 35. Said bracket 35 also servesto support the forward ends 'of shafts 36, 31, which serve to operate telescopic lift hangers 23.

For va more detailed disclosure of the abov mechanisms reference is hereby made to my copending application Serial No. 449,206, led May 2, 1930.

The blade and scarier adjusting mechanisms are adapted to be operated by a selectively operable control means adjacent the operators station on the tractor.

As shown in Fig. l, shafts 36, 31 are universally 2 connected to telescopic shafts 38, 39, which are universally connected at their front ends to a' selective clutch control means described more specifically hereinafter. Housing 4| forms a part 5 of this control means and said housing is supported on bracket 42 having vertical. cylindrical portion 43 pivotally engaging pin 44 on bracket 46. Said bracket 46 forms a rearward extension l from tractor I3. Bracket 42 has aligning connection 41 with king-bolt 22 which serves to maintain the control means adjacent the operator. When the road machine is not in use, the.

The selective clutch control means for operat- 1 ing the adjusting mechanisms for the bladeor the scarifier includes two'drlven trains either or both ber. The driven trains are provided with coaxial portions including a plurality of nested shafts to obtain a simple and compact construetion. One of these driven trains includes shaft 60A journaled in sleeve 6| in said housing 4|-, and having reduced forward portion 62 to which clutch disk 63 is keyed. Said clutch disk 63 is adapted to be engaged by the driving clutch elemit a. drive through shaft 60 and Shaft. 38 (Figli.)

universally connected to the tool adjusting mech-V anism.

T he'second driven train includesfshalit 66 joirrnaled in bosses 61,V 68, in housing 4| and .having gear. 69 welded thereon. Gear 69 meshes with gear 1| welded on said sleeve 6| which is journaled in bosses 12, 13, in said. housing 4|. Clutch disk 14 is' clamped on the forward end of said' sleeve 6| by means'of clamping bolt 15 and is adapted to be ,driven by the driving, clutch element in a manner hereinafter described to drive sleeve 6|, gears 1| and 69, shaft 66 and shaft 31 or 34 to operate the tool adjusting mechanism.

thereon by nut 80 threaded on the reduced end of said shaft and engaging washer 8|. The hub vof crank 18 engages the hub of clutch ,disk 63 to /hold said disk in place.

Apertured boss 82 is provided at one end of said crank andcounterweight 83 is provided at- .the other end to counterbalance said crank to fa- -cilitate operation of the clutching mechanism. Clutch pin 86 is slidably and non-rotatably mounted in boss 82 and is adapted to be positioned in any one of three' positions to selectively engage the clutch disks. It is to be noted that clutch pin. 86 is located radially of crank 18 so that the center line of said pin'is aligned substan- 14. Stud 81 is pinned in boss 82 and is provided with lug 88 engaging a longitudinal groove in said pin 86 which is therefore slidable longitudinally of which are operable from a single driving? mem-- ment in a manner hereinafter described to transa handle is rotatably mounted thereon.

journaled on bushing 19 onshaft 62 and'v held tially with the peripheries" of clutch disks 63,

under side, said-pints is notched et as, the" vdepth and width of said notch being such that the outer periphery of either of disks 63 or 14 can pass freely therethrough.' The solid portions of pin 86 on either side 'of said notch 89 are adapted to engage in spaced notches 9| forming clutching stations in said disks-63, 14 to provide a driving connection fromvpin 86 to either or both of said disks.

Said pin 86, as shown in Fig. 3, has driving engagement with disk 63, notch 89 being aligned with said disk'14. Should said pin 86 be shifted to the right, notch 89 becomes aligned with disk 63 while disk 14 has driving engagement with said pin 66.' If said pin 86 be shifted to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3, said notch 88 is out of alignment with both said disks 63, 14,

tive clutch control for driving one or more of a plurality of tool adjusting mechanisms.

Means are provided for maintaining the shiftable clutch control .element resiliently in its adjusted position. On the bottom side thereof, said pin 86 is provided with three spaced transverse grooves 92 which are adapted to be engaged by ball 93 under the iniiuence of spring 94 seated in said crank 18. Notches 92 and spring-pressed ball 93 serve to resist movement of pin 86 from adjusted-position vand to accurately position said pin in its selected position.

Said pin '86 ismanua'lly shiftable to control operation of the tool adjusting-mechanisms,

a handle comprises sleeve 96 having internal ring v91weldedy thereto, said ring 91 being held on able screw threaded therein.

'Operation With clutch pin 86 in' the position shown in Fig. 3, notch 89 is aligned with disk 14 and said pinhas operative engagement with disk 63, and upon rotation of crank 18 in either direction, said clutch pin serves to rotate clutch disk 63, shaft 60, and shaft 38 (Fig.y 1) connected thereto to operate one of the tool adjusting mechanisms. When clutch pin 86 is shifted to the right from the position shown in Fig. 3, notch 89 is aligned with clutch disk 63 and said pin 86 is operatively engaged with clutch disk 14, and, upon rotation of crank 18 in either direction, serves to rotate saidvdisk 14, sleeve or hollow shaft 6|, gears 1|, 69,'shaft 66, and shaft 39 (Fig. 1) connected thereto to operate the other of the tool adjusting mechanisms. When clutch pin 86 is shifted to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3, notch v88 is not aligned with either of said clutch disks, both of which are operatively engaged with said clutch pin. In this position both of the above noted trains of mechanism are operated upon rotation of crank 18 in either direction to operate a plurality of tool adjusting mechanisms, shafts and 66 always rotating in opposite directions.

From the foregoing description, it isseen that a selective clutch control means is provided by the instant. invention which is of a simple and reliable structure and can be economically manufactured and assembled easily. It is to be noted that the use of clutch gearing is entirely eliminated by the. invention in issue, the selective clutch means being visible at all times tothe operatorvand located conveniently adjacent the operator's station-on the tractor. y

Cil

'lational rotation about an axis alignedwith the I, therefore, claim as my invention:

1. In a road machine, a frame, an earth-engaging tool adjustably mounted on said frame, adjusting mechanisms for said tool, and selective control means for said adjusting mechanisms comprising a housing, a sleeve mounted in aligned bosses in said Vhousing and extending therethrough, a gear fixed on said sleeve, a shaft mounted in a second pair of aligned bosses in said housing and extending therethrough oppositely to said sleeve, a second gear fixed on said shaft and meshing with said first gear, a second shaft journaled in said sleeve and extending therethrough at both ends, connections from the adjacent ends of said shafts to said adjusting mechanisms, a clutch disk mounted on the extending end of said sleeve and having a notched outer pe- Iriphery. a second clutch disk mounted on said second shaft adjacent the extending end of said sleeve and having a notched vouter periphery, a crank rotatably mounted on the extending end of said second shaft adjacent said second disk;v` A a pin slidably and non-rotatably mounted in anvv V apertured boss formed in an end of said crank,

' said pin being located radially of said crank so that the center line thereof is aligned substantially with'the peripheries of said disks and having anotch formed therein adapted to be aligned with one of said disks to permit relative movement thereof with respect to said pin, an adjacent portion of said pin being positioned in a peripheral notch of the other of said disks to establish a driving engagement therebetween, and a spring-pressed ball mounted in said crank and adapted to engage said pin to maintain it resiliently in adjusted position.

2. In a road machine, a frame, an earth-engaging tooladjustably mounted on said frame, adjusting mechanisms for said tool, and selective control means for said adjusting mechanisms comprising a housing, a sleeve mounted in aligned bosses in said housing and extending therethrough, a gear fixed on said sleeve, a shaft mounted in a second pair of aligned bosses in said housing and extending therethrough oppositely to said sleeve, a second gear fixed on said shaft and meshing withsaid first gear, a second shaft journaled in said sleeve and extending therethrough at both ends, `connections from the adjacent ends of said shafts" to said adjusting mechanisms, a clutch disk mounted on the extending end of said sleeve and having'a notched outer periphery, a second clutch disk mounted on said second shaft adjacent the extending end of saidv sleeve and having a notched outerperiphery, a crank rotatably mounted on 4the extending end of said secondv shaft adjacent said second disk, and a pin slidaby and non-rotatably mounted in an apertured boss formed in an end of said crank, said pin being located radially of said crank so that the center line thereof is aligned substantially with the peripheries of said disks and having a notch formed therein adapted to be aligned with one of 'said disks to permit relative movement, thereof with respect to said pin,an adjacent portion of said pin being positioned in a peripheral notch of the'other of said disks,to establish. a driving engagement therebetween. Y

3. In 'a control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a plurality of axially aligned movable clutch elements, a control clutch element engageable with one for more of said movable clutch elements, and means mounting said control element for transaxes of said movable clutch elements.

4. In a control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a plurality of nested shafts, a plurality of movable clutch elements mounted on said shafts, and a control clutch element rotatably mounted on one of said shafts and selectively engageable with said movable clutch elements, comprising a counterbalanced crank. i

5. In a control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a hollow shaft, a second shaft extending through said hollow shaft, a disk on said hollow shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, a second disk on said second shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, a driving member rotatably mounted on one of said shafts, and a control clutch element mounted in said member and shiftable laterally with respect thereto to engage the clutch stations in said disks simultaneously or independently.

6. In a control mechanism for adjusting the `earth moving means of a road machine, a hollow shaftfas'econd shaft extending through said hollow shaft, a disk on said hollow shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, a second disk on said second shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery 'thereof, a driving member rotatably mounted on one of said shafts, a control clutch element mounted in said member and shiftable laterally with respect thereto to engage the clutch stations in said disks simultaneously or independently, and means for resiliently maintaining said element in any shifted position thereof.

y element is adapted for' free rotation about a clutch disk aligned with said portion.

y8. In a control mechanism for adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, a hollow shaft, a second shaft extending through said hollow shaft, a diskY on said hollow shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, a second disk on said second shaft having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, a driving member rotatably mounted on one of said shafts, a control clutch element mounted on said member and shiftable laterally with respect thereto, said element having a notched portion at one end whereby said element is adapted for free rotation about a clutch disk aligned with said portion, and a peripherally recessed portion at the otherend, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on said element and having a portionextending within said `recessed portion.

9. In a road machine, an earth-engaging tool, adjusting mechanisms `for said tool, and selective control means for said adjusting mechanisms including a hollow shaft, a second shaft journaled in said hollow shaft, connections from said shafts to said adjusting mechanisms, a disk mounted on said hollow shaft having spaced clutching stations forme/d in the periphery thereof, a second in said hollow shaft, connections fromv said shafts l to said adjusting mechanisms, a disk mounted on;

said hollow shaft having spaced clutching'sta'vv tions formed in the periphery thereof, a second-v disi?. mounted on said second shaft having spaced clutching stations formed in the outer periphery thereof, anoperating member rotatably mounted on one of said shafts, ashiftable element mounted on said member and engageable independently simultaneously with the clutching stations on said disks, and resilient means for maintaining said element in, shifted position with respect to Asaid member.

g5 112 'In a road machine, an earth-engaging tool, adjusting mechanisms for saidtool, and selective control meansforsaid adjusting mechanisms including a hollow shaft, a second shaft'journaled in said hollow shaft, connections from said shafts 30 to said adjustingmechanisms, a disk mounted on said hollow shaft having peripheral notches, a second disk mounted on said second shaft having peripheral notches, a crank rotatably mounted on one of said shafts, and means for simultaneously 35 and independently establishing a driving engagement between 4said crank and said disks. v

l2. In a road machine, an earth-engaging tool, adjusting` mechanisms therefor, and means for operating said adjusting mechanisms'comprising 4@ a plurality of axially alignedrotatably mounted members, one of said members forminga driving element, the others of said members forming driven elements, and means for selectively connecting said members to establish a driving conf 45 nection from said one of said members to any one or more of said others of said members.

13. In 'a road machine, an earth-engaging :too adjusting mechanisms` therefor, and means fo operating said adjusting mechanisms comprising 50 fiplurality of axially aligned rotatably mounted members, oneof said members forming a driving element, the others of said members forming driven elements, and means for selectively connecting said members, comprising ashiftable ele- 554 ment. mounted on the driving element.

vM .'a road machine, an earth-engaging tool,v adjusting mechanisms therefor, and means for 1 operatingsaid adjusting mechanismsfcomprising a .plurality of axially aligned rotatably mounted members, one'of .said members forming a driving element, the others of `said `vmembers forming 'driven elements, andv .meansffor selectively con?` ment mounted on the'driving element, said driv- `ing v'element comprising a v counter--b'alanced 15. In a read niachinaan earth-engaging tool,

' 14 adjusting mechanismstherefor, and means for '-70 saidadiusting mechanisms comprising.-

fpluralityof axially aligned rotatablymounted members', 'one ofsaid members forming a driving element,` othersvfof said 4members being mouted'in juxtaposedfrelation at.one side of di element and formingV`y driven elements,l and means for selectivelyconnecting said members adja-eent their peripheries.

16. Ina road machine, an earth-engaging tool,

adjusting mechanisms therefor, and means for operatingsaid adjusting mechanisms comprisingI 5 a plurality ofaxially aligned rotatably mounted members, one of said members forming a driving element, i-he others of said members forming driven elements, and means for selectively connecting said members adjacent their peripheries, lo,

comprising a laterally shiftablev pin having an end Vporti-cn for engaging said driven elements and an ven-:l portion for mounting a handle.

i .17f.` In a control mechanism for adjusting the earthmoving means of a road machine, a plul5A rality of kaxially aligned movable clutch elements, including a element and driven elements, and a control-clutch element movable with said driving element and engageable with one or more of said driven elements.

18. In a control mechanism for adjusting th earth moving means of a road machine, a plurality of" axially aligned movable clutch elements, a control clutch eiement engageable with one or more of said movable clutch elements, and an arm mounting said control clutch element for rotation about an axis coincident with the axes of said movable ciutch elements.

I 19. In a road machine, an earth-engaging tool,- l

adjusting mechanisms therefor, and means for operating said adjusting mechanisms comprising a` plurality of axially aligned rotatably mounted members, one'of said members forming a driving element, the others of said members forming driven eiements, -and means for selectively connecting said one of said members to any one or more of 'said others of said members including a shiftablemember mounted adjacent the periphery of said one of said members. r

' 20. Ina control mechanism for adjusting the 40l earthmoving means `of a road machine, a plu- -r'ality of shafts adapted for connection .to adlrusting mechanisms, and clutch mechanism for" operating said shafts-including, a plurality of vaxially aligned disks having clutching stations formed thefperipheries thereof, and a driving Ymember rotatably mounted in axial alignment ,with saiddisk'sjand engageable selectively with any one or more'of said disks through the clutching'stationsthereon to operate the adjusting 50' '21. In a control mechanismfor'adjusting the earth moving means of a road machine, fa. plurality of shafts, and clutch means associated with said shafts to control seiective' operation thereof `55-` 'including a ving meinber comprising a'coifmtf er1-balanced rank. i A 22.1Ina control mechanism for adjusting the .earth moving means of a road machine, a plut rality of s liafts,l clutch disksconnected to said .shafts having clutching stationsformed in the peripheries thereofii a driving member rotatably i vvmouiiteilinaxialv gnment with saiddisks, ami

ne-cmlafid memaers' ompnsmgasmftable ele' -a clutch control element movably mounted on `said driving member andformed to provide for free rotation about a selected clutch disk while having engagement with another of said clutch disks.

23. In a road-machine, an'earth-,elgaging tooi'; adjusting, mechanisms -for sa POGI; aridfse- A lective control. ;means for said adjusting mecha.,y

erating member rotatably mounted in axial alignment with said disks and engageable independently and simultaneously with the clutching stations on said disks.

24. In a road machine, an earth-engaging tool, adjusting mechanisms for said tool, and selective control means for said adjusting mechanisms including shafts connected to said adjusting mechanisms, axially aligned disks connected to said shafts, each disk having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, an operating member rotatably mounted in axial alignment with said disks, shiftable means mounted on said member and engageable independently and simultaneously with the clutching stations on said disks, and means for maintaining said shiftable means in any shifted position thereof. V

25. In a control mechanism for adjustingthe earth moving means of a road machine, a housing, a plurality of shafts mounted in said housing and extending exteriorly thereof, a gear connection in said housing consisting of non-shiftable intermeshed gears, and a clutch mechanism mounted exteriorly of said housing for operating said shafts, comprising clutch disks having clutching stations formed in the periphery thereof, and an operating member engageable vindependently and simultaneously lwith the clutching stations of the respective clutch disks.

26. In a road machine, a tool, an operators station, adjusting mechanisms for said tool and manually operable control means for said adiusting mechanisms adjacent said operators station comprising a plurality of relatively large clutch disks, and an operating member therefor having an element shiftable selectively to determine independent and simultaneous operation of said adjusting mechanisms, said disks, said member and said element being visible to the operator to facilitate `manipulation thereof in controlling and operating said adjusting mechanisms. y

27. In a road working apparatus; a tractor having an operators station; an earth-Working machine having a draft connection with said tractor; earth working means on said machine; adjusting mechanism for said earth working means; and manually operable selective controly means for said mechanism supported adjacent said operators station, including a plurality of lcontrol members having connecting stations formed therein, and operating means selectively engageable with said connecting stations; said `connecting stations and said operating means being visible to the operator to facilitate manipulation thereof in controlling and operating said adjusting mechanism.

28. In a. train of vehicles; a draft vehicle having an operators station; a drawn vehicle having a draft connection with said draft vehicle; movable means on said drawn vehicle; adjusting mechanism for said movable means; and manually operable selective control means for said mechanism supported adjacent said operators station, including a plurality of control members having connecting stations formed in the periphery thereof, and operating means selectively engageable with said connecting stations; said connecting stations and said operating means being visible to the operator to facilitate manipulation thereof in controlling and operating said adjusting mechanism.

29. In control mechanism of the class described, a rotatable hollow shaft, a second shaft rotatably mounted Within said hollow shaft, a'. third shaft, means connecting said hollow shaft with said third shaft, mechanisms connected With said second and third shafts for operation thereby, a control member connected with each of said second and hollow shafts and adapted to be operated to effect rotation of said shafts, and means for operating said control members individually or together including a single operating member connectable with any one or al1 of said control members.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON. 

